SAGINAW, MI — Jake Paterson has officially secured his hockey future for the next few years after the Detroit Red Wings announced that the franchise has agreed to terms on a three-year entry level contract with the Saginaw Spirit goalie.

Paterson has his entire Ontario Hockey League career with the Saginaw Spirit, and the 19-year old has drawn rave reviews since taking over as the starting netminder in the 2011-12 season.

A native of Mississauga, Ont., Paterson grew up a Detroit Red Wings fan, and he put together his best performances during his draft year when former Red Wings great and current goaltending development coach Chris Osgood was scouting Saginaw during its playoff run in 2012.

That inspired Detroit to select the 1994-born player in the third round in 2012, No. 80 overall and he has rewarded the organization for their decision ever since.

"It's pretty exciting, obviously, growing up a Red Wings fan make it a little more surreal," Paterson said. "To finally sign a Red Wings contract made it a little more exciting."

Paterson, 6-foot-1, 183-pounds, put together a strong 2012-13 season with the Spirit that culminated in his selection to team Canada for the World Junior Hockey Championships in Russia as the No. 3 goalie, and some believe he has the inside track on becoming the No. 1 goalie for Canada at this year’s junior championships in Sweden.

He has participated in the last two Red Wings prospects camps with a dominant performance leading Detroit to a tournament championship this year, in addition to practicing with the Grand Rapids Griffins during their run to the AHL championship at the end of last season.

"It's kind of been a bit of a process," Paterson said. "Obviously, they've been watching last year, then over the summer and at camp, as well. Its been a bit of a process, but I htink camp finalized it for me."

Despite a 1-3 record and 4.00 goals-against average, Paterson has been dynamite with a .917 save percentage through the first week of the OHL season. He gave up six goals against two-time defending Ontario Hockey League champion London, but his 47 saves were enough to make him the game’s third star. Paterson has tallied 40 or more saves in three of the Spirit's first four games.

For his career with Saginaw, Paterson is 47-39-5-5 with a 3.47 GAA and a .903 save percentage.

Cory Butzin covers sports for MLive/Saginaw News. Email him at cbutzin1@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter.